Observation (CEACR) - adopted 2001, published 90th ILC session (2002)

Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) - Niger (Ratification: 1979)

The Committee notes the Government’s report and the partial replies to its previous comments. It notes that the reports on the activities of the Directorate for the Promotion of Employment and Vocational Training of the Ministry of the Public Service, Labour and Employment do not contain information on the operation and activities of the labour inspectorate. The Committee notes that the two monthly activity reports covering the month of November 1996 and concerning the inspection offices in Arlit and Zinder only report a very limited number of inspections of workplaces.

The Committee notes the difficulties inherent in the economic and social situation in the country and, as a consequence, the low level of resources of the public labour administration in general, and the labour inspectorate in particular. Emphasizing the social function of labour inspection, the Committee recalls the possibility of having recourse to ILO technical assistance for the evaluation of the inspection system and the determination of the legislative, structural, human and material resources required to improve its effectiveness. Moreover, the necessary financing can be sought through international cooperation from potential donors. The Committee urges the Government to explore these channels, although not without first having compiled the available information on the situation of the labour inspectorate in terms of the needs which could be submitted for support when requesting the above assistance (applicable legislation, available staff and material resources, industrial and commercial activities, number of workplaces, numbers of workers employed in these workplaces). The Committee requests the Government to provide information on any practical measures taken to improve the inspection system and any steps which may have been taken to obtain the necessary assistance.